Cardiac Surgery at Kaweah Delta

Visalia's Leader in Heart Care

More than 20 years after establishing its open-heart surgery program in Visalia, Kaweah Delta has been nationally recognized, has performed more than 7,900 open-heart surgery procedures. Now under the leadership of two experienced and talented cardiothoracic surgeons, Sergio Caminha, MD and Leheb Araim, MD, our program offers patients a full range of cardiovascular services at our state-of-the-art facility, the Acequia Wing at Kaweah Delta Medical Center.

Based in Visalia, Kaweah Delta has made a name for itself as the region's leader in heart care through the support of board-certified cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, and vascular surgeons who work with Kaweah Delta's dedicated heart team. This team is made up of physicians, perfusionists (highly-specialized health professionals qualified to take care of your heart and lungs), and registered nurses specially trained to care for critical care patients. Together, we work as a team to provide patients with integrated and scientific-based medicine - all the specialized care and support you need for heart care right here in Visalia. Patients are provided 24-hour care both before and after surgery.

Heart Services

We assist patients through counseling, heart disease treatment, and surgery. Our goal is to keep your heart strong long after you leave our hospital, and offer several education services to create a suitable diet and exercise routine.

Our cardiovascular services include:

• Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) - Minimally invasive valve replacement surgery which may lead to shorter hospital stays, relief of symptoms (sometimes immediately), improved heart function and reduced pain and anxiety.
• Cardiothoracic Surgery - Led by two highly renowned cardiothoracic surgeons, this team performs various surgeries on the inside of the chest, including heart valve surgery and minimally invasive procedures.
• Electrophysiology (EP) Cardiology - We employ a team of medical professionals who have devoted extensive study to the heart's electrical system. Patients can receive EP procedures to remedy irregular heart rhythms.
• Vascular & Endovascular Surgery - This department performs operations to treat vein and artery diseases with cutting-edge surgical and imaging technology.
• Interventional Cardiology/Vascular Surgery - Here we treat patients suffering from coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, and myocardial infractions (heart attacks).
• Non-Invasive Cardiology Department - This department provides diagnostic ultrasound imaging to assist in the diagnoses of cardiovascular system disorders.
• Heart Health Treatment - We educate patients on how to reduce the risk of heart disease, and treat patients with high blood pressure, chest pains, and other cardiovascular issues.

For more information on improved heart health, be sure to review our heart attack overview and details on past successes and what your visit will entail.